Teenage Mutant Ninja...Bunny?

befulina · Apr 28, 2011

I have an 8 month old male Holland Lop, who is not neutered yet (but will be on Wednesday). He has always been quite friendly, has never sprayed, never bitten anyone, and is quite good with his litter-box. This surprised me, because from what I'd read, teenage bunnies can be somewhat evil.

Well, I am wondering no more...puberty seems to have hit. Very suddenly. He has been chinning things for a while (which I think is ADORABLE), but yesterday is the first time I have ever seem him spray (or even pee while I held him). Since yesterday, he has done that about three times.

Today, he also nipped me for the first time! I was laying on the floor by him, and he kept crawling up on me, being adorable, when all of a sudden NIP in the leg! And a few minutes later, NIP in the arm! And a few minutes later, NIP in the back! Needless to say, I am now sitting on the couch, far out of bunny's reach. Just today his chinning has also increased a LOT. He also just seems much more hyper/energetic than usual.

My main question is: Is this a normal onset of puberty? It just seems so sudden! Or is this something I should be concerned about?

As I mentioned, I set up an appointment for his neuter immediately after the first spraying incident. Will these behaviors decrease with neutering? Or will he just have to grow out of it?

Thanks!

befulina · Apr 28, 2011

Well I think bunny just answered part of my question: he just attempted to mate with my arm several times while I was lying on the floor. Wednesday (neuter day) can't come fast enough!

Sweetie · Apr 29, 2011

Yes this behavior is normal for him. Neutering him will decrease these behaviors. It will take roughly two weeks after he is neutered for his hormones to die down.

For the nipping if it doesn't stop only reward him for his good behavior.

Nancy McClelland · Apr 29, 2011

Sounds like a "normal" horny little rabbit. My son used to get his arm "violated" when he tried to feed any of our three males while they were still intact. I just told him that they "really" liked him--he failed to see the humor. Neutering took care of all that "silliness".

befulina · May 13, 2011

A week and a half post neuter, and my little boy is back to being sweet! Only one spraying incident a few days after the procedure, and none since. No more humping, no more biting (except for chewing cords and wires, of course). I'm hoping he'll be more snuggly as well now. (Well, he was very snuggly when he came home and was so drugged up...I wish he had stayed that cuddly, lol!)